Early and late goals saw VCD Athletic win promotion from the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division by winning their play off decider against Fisher.
Two seasons ago, the Vickers suffered the heartbreak of losing their place in the Isthmian League South East in a play-off match against Phoenix Sports. Now they will be back in that division, crossing with their neighbours who have been relegated.
In their play-off eliminator against Punjab United, VCD scored in the tenth minute. However, they were even quicker against Fisher. In just the sixth minute, Bethel Gboda did well to get it into Ollie Freeman who squared to Lee Bird. He showed great composure to let it run across him before side footing it home.
Kesna Clarke came close to equalising when he headed towards the far post but George Whitelock was in the right place at the right time to nod it off the line.
Connor Dymond’s tenacity allowed him to win a tackle in midfield, turn another man, and take a shot. Although it was struck sweetly, it was too straight and Fisher goalkeeper Isaac Ogunseri clung on to it.
Seven minutes before half time, Fisher equalised. Clarke passed infield to Flávio Jumo and he struck it with precision from twenty yards, and it flew into the bottom corner.
As half time approached, the Vickers were awarded a free kick out wide. Dymond shaped to cross and fooled Ogunseri by taking a shot that flew inches over.
Early in the second period Whitelock had a shot that took a strong enough deflection to take the sting out of it and present Ogunseri with an easy shot. The visitors then won a string of corners that came to nothing. Fisher’s Jake Lovell intercepted a sloppy pass and worked his way into a good position only to skew his shot well wide.
Freeman went close at the other end when he diverted a Dymond near post corner goalwards with his knee and it clattered the crossbar and came out. Then Fisher’s Clarke shot well off target.
Whitelock again chanced his arm with a thirty-five yard strike that was half blocked and rolled harmlessly to Ogunseri before Bird sent Gboda away and he shot narrowly wide of the near post. Gboda had another effort and fired across the face of goal.
As the game moved into the last ten minutes, Fisher searched for a winner. Tyron Mbuenimo cut across the goal-face and shot however, forty-three year old goalkeeper, Andy Walker, called upon his experience to close down the angle and make an excellent save. VCD’s Dexter Peter then made an outstanding challenge to thwart Clarke before Jumo hit a shovel shot that looped into the Vickers’ custodian’s hands.
There was one minute of regulation time left when VCD went ahead. Bird hit a long range shot that Ogunseri could only knock back out and Dan Bradshaw, who had only been on the pitch for seven minutes, was first to the rebound and he fired home via the foot of the Fisher goalkeeper.
Two minutes later, Fisher’s Courtney Barrington burst through and Walker rushed out and brought him down. He was moving away from goal, and was just outside the area so a free kick to Fisher, which was cleared, and a yellow card for Walker, were awarded.
Four minutes later, Ange Djadja talked his way into the sin bin, and shortly afterwards the referee ended the match and the VCD celebrations commenced.
VCD Athletic: Walker, Lawrence, Whitelock, Dymond, Peter, Fenn, Olawole (Heatley 79), Bird (Sotoyinbo 90+7), Freeman (Bradshaw 82), Gboda (Ozobia 90+7), Gillies (Babalola 60).
Subs not used: None.
Goalscorers: Bird (6), Bradshaw (89)
Yellow cards: Dymond (45 foul), Walker (90+1 foul)
Fisher: Ogunseri, Gibbons, Darwish, Mbuenimo, Djadja, MacAulay, Lovell (Katonia 61 (Martin 76)), Nassor (Flemming 75), Clarke, Jumo, Barrington.
Subs not used: Amedu, Blackwood,
Goal scorer: Jumo (38)
Yellow cards: Mbuenimo (70 foul), Gibbons (78 foul), Barrington (90+8 foul)
Sin Bin: Djadja (90+6)
Referee: Rhys Jeffery
Assistants: James Beadle and Steve Roots
Fourth Official: Nick Bone
Attendance: 720